Storage container with protective liner



June 20, 1961 D. E. DAGGITT 2,989,213

STORAGE CONTAINER WITH PROTECTIVE LINER Filed April 28, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

42 g/7mg ATTORNEY June 20, 1961 DAGGlTT 2,989,213

STORAGE CONTAINER WITH PROTECTIVE LINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 28, 1958 AT TORNEY June 20, 1961 D. E. DAGGITT 2,939,213

STORAGE CONTAINER WI'TH PROTECTIVE LINER Filed April 28, 1958 I s Sheets-Sheet a INVENTOR. 54-2055 5,0466/777 @MZW ATTORNEY United States Patent 9 10 Claims. (Cl. 222-83) This invention relates to a storage container with a protective liner.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a storage container with a portective liner wherein the liner is readily installed and removed by a single operator and completely and effectively protects the interior of the container from exposure to the contents thereof, and which permits removal of the contents by drainage or pumping, followed by removal of the liner without danger of exposing the container to the residue of the contents drained or removed therefrom.

A further object is to provide a device of this character, wherein a container is lined with a thin film of flexible material, which is of light weight and shaped to conform to the contour of the container and adapted to be expanded into contact with the walls of the container by inflation thereof, said container having liner-inflating means and also having venting means to exhaust air displaced from the container by the inflation of the liner.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having a dip tube removably mounted therein between a top removable closure member and a bottom valved outlet, said clip tube serving to press a liner into contact with the container around the bottom outlet to facilitate draining of the container, having bottom apertures therein to facilitate entry into the tube of contents to be withdrawn through the tube by suction or constituting a guide by means of which a perforating member may be directed to the portion of the liner registering with the outlet to perforate the same for the purpose of permitting drainage of the contents of the container through said drain opening.

Other objects Will be apparent from the following specification.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of a truck-trailer combination wherein the trailer mounts a tank embodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a closure unit employed with the device;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a detail sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 3; I

FIG. 8 is a detail sectional view taken on line 88 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a detail sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 5 and showing liner-inflating means; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged detail sectional view of a seal at the bottom of the dip tube illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary detail view of a liner perforating tube, with parts shown in section.

Referring to the drawings which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 designates a storage container of the type forming the subject of this invention, mounted upon and forming a part of a semi-trailer whose frame or chassis 12 is supported by rear road-engaging wheels 14 and whose forward end is supported by means of a fifth wheel 16 upon the chassis or frame 18 of a motor truck or tractor unit. It will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to application upon truck-trailer combinations but may be applied to tank trucks, railway tank cars, containers in the holds of marine vessels, and to stationary containers. The invention is applicable to a container for any type of fluent material, such as liquid, powder material, or granular material. Examples of materials which may be stored in this container are acids, corrosive chemicals, fuels, edible oils, edible grains, and flour or talc. It will be understood that the foregoing examples are not limiting.

The container may be formed of any material found suitable and strong enough for the service without regard to its reaction to contents which might be contained, that is, may be formed of materials subject to corrosion by certain types of acids or other corrosive materials which might be stored therein. Also the container may be made of any size and shape advantageous or suitable for its intended use. In the form selected for illustration, the container constitutes a cylindrical metal tank 22 which may be formed of steel or aluminum, or of any other suitable material, and which is provided with suitable end walls 24. If desired, partitions 26 may separate the container into a plurality of compartments. In the form shown, the container 22 is surrounded by insulation material 28 enclosed within a sheath 30. The use of insulation is optional, however, and may be omitted if 'desired, The container sheath here illustrated includes an upwardly projecting top portion 32 extending lengthwise thereof and defining a longitudinal chamber 34 above the top of the container 22. 'One or more openings may be provided in the top structure 32 to be spanned by a pivoted closure 36, giving access to the chamber 34 at a selected point thereof. The sheath of the container is also preferably provided with a depending housing structure 38 at the bottom thereof, extending longitudinally thereof for any desired extent and preferably including depending side walls and end walls 40 and a bottom 42 having ample road clearance in the case of a mobile unit. One or more of the walls 40 may be provided with openings adapted to be spanned by pivoted closure members 44. At the exterior of the container, in the case of containers of substantial size, suitable means maybe provided to afford access to the top thereof, for which purpose a container may mount a ladder 45 and may be provided with a structure constituting a walk 46 upon which an operator may stand to open and close the topclosure 36 and to work adjacent thereto.

Each of the individual compartments of the container has an access opening at the top thereof in the nature'of a manhole which is outlined by a rim member 50 welded or otherwise suitably secured to the tank 22 around a top opening therein. Each rim member 50 is preferably provided with a top edge lying in a horizontal plane. A

closure plate 52 is adapted to bear upon and close the upper end of the rim member 50, the same being 'provided with a sealing gasket 54 bonded or otherwise se cured to the bottom face thereof and adapted to bear on the top of the rim member 50. The closure plate 52 is preferably pivotally mounted on the container 22 as by means of arms 56 secured thereto and projecting therefrom and pivoted at 58 to ears or supports 60 carried by the tank adjacent to and preferably spaced from the rim member 50. Latch means may be provided to anchor the closure plate 52, and one form of such latch means is illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein ears 62 project outwardly from the rim member 50 at spaced intervals and have pivoted to bear against the top surface of the closure 52 to press the same toward the edge of the rim member 50.

The closure plate 52 is provided with a plurality of openings therein. One of these openings is outlined by a neck portion 70 secured to plate 52, which may be spanned by a closure member 72 anchored in place by any suitable means. Another opening 74 of comparatively small size may be formed in the closure 52 spaced from the opening at 70. A third plate opening spaced from the neck portion 70 and opening 74 is preferably outlined by a neck 76 welded or otherwise secured to the plate 52 and is adapted to be sealed by a removable closure plate 78 with which releasable locking means 80 of any desired form may be employed. In the form shown in FIG. 3, the locking means 80 constitute two elongateddiameu'ically extending levers pivoted at their outer ends to ears projecting from the neck 76 and adapted to overlap each other in closing poistion, as illustrated in FIG. 3,'or to be swung freely away from each other so as to disengage the closure 78.

A tubular member 82 is secured to the closure plate 52 in depending substantially concentric relation to the opening outlined by the neck 76. As here shown the tube 82 is anchored by securing means 84, such as bolts and nuts, passed through apertures in the closure 52 and through openings in an outturned flange 86 formed at the upper end of the tube 82. In the form shown, the tube 82 is preferably provided with two or more internally projecting locking lugs 88 adjacent the upper end thereof and with vertically extending guides 90 extending from adjacent the lower end of the tube 82 to a position adjacent but spaced below the lugs 88.

The depending tube 82 and its associated parts form means for detachably supporting an elongated substantially vertical dip tube 92 within the container. The dip tube 92 preferably has a pair of spaced disks 94 and 96 fixedly secured thereto, as by means of welding, at longitudinally spaced points. Each of the plates 94 and 96 is of a size and shape to fit freely andslidably within the tube 82 and to serve as means for positioning the dip tube 92. Each of the plates 94 and 96 is notched at 98 to slide past the lugs 88 and upon the ribs 90 so as to hold the dip tube 92 against rotation. The dip tube unit 92 projects above the upper plate 96 and is encircled by an upper plate 100 fitting freely in the upper portion of the tube 82 and notched at 102 to pass around the lugs 88. The plate 100 has a central aperture of greater diameter than the tube to fit freely thereon and may be provided with hand grip members 104 by means of which the same may be manipulated to rotate the same from a position in which its notches 102 register with the lugs 88 to a position in which the notches are spaced from said lugs, as illustrated in FIG. 7, for the purpose of holding the dip tube against upward movement. Resilient means interconnect the dip tube 92 with the plate 100 and, as here shown, such means constitute a coil spring 106 whose lower end is welded or otherwise secured to the top plate 96 and whose upper end may be carried by a bracket or brackets 108 carried by the plate 100 with connection between the bracket and the spring being such as to accommodate rotation of the plate 100 relative to the plate 96. The upper end portion of the dip tube 92 is screwthreaded at 110 and a cap 112 may be screw-threaded thereon to close thesame, or said screw threads may provide means for connection of a hose coupling (not shown) mounted upon a hose leading to a suction pump (not shown).

At the bottom thereof the tank 22 is preferably provided with an aperture substantially axially aligned with the neck 76, the tube 82, and the dip tube 92, and prefcrably outlined by a downwardly and outwardly flared or curled neck 114. A horizontal flange 116 is secured to the lower end of the neck 114 as by means of welding, and provides means for connecting a valve at the outlet opening. In the form shown, the valve includes an upper plate 118 secured to the flange 116 by bolts 120 or other securing means and preferably having sealed relation to the flange 116 by means of a gasket ring 122 interposed between the flange 116 and the valve plate 118. The valve plate 118 has a central aperture therein of smaller size than the opening outlined by the neck 114, the same preferably being centered with the adjacent tank opening and preferablyhaving afrusto conical valve seat 124. An ell 126 secured to the plate 118 constitutes a valve body and mounts therein, as by welding in an opening thereof, an internally screw-threaded sleeve 128 in axial alignment with the valve seat 124. A valve stem 130 is screw-threaded in the sleeve 128 and mounts a hand wheel 132 at its outer end. A suitable packing or stufiing box 134 is mounted on the sleeve 128. The valve stem 130 mounts a valve plate 136 having a frusto conical surface bearing against the valve seat 124 and preferably having a valve pilot portion 138 whose upper surface is adapted to extend substantially flush with the upper surface of the plate 118 when the valve is fully closed. The ell 126 is preferably provided with a screw-threaded end portion 140 at which is connected a coupling 142 mounted upon a conduit 144 leading to a discharge pump 146.

The dip tube 92 has a pressure foot portion at its lower end. This pressure foot portion is preferably carried by one or more projecting supports which may constitute an arcuate member or part-tubular member, as illustrated in FIG. 4, or a plurality of spaced downwardly projecting bars 151 as illustrated in FIG. 8. An annular plate 152 is carried by the spacer members 150, 151 in spaced relation below the end of the tube 92 and in perpendicular relation thereto. The plate 152 has an aperture 153 of a diameter at least equal to the diameter of the bore of the tube 92 and preferably slightly greater than the diameter thereof. In the preferred form a second annular member 154 is secured to the bottom surface of the annular member 152 in concentric relation thereto, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and I0, theouter diameter of the member 154 beingsubstantially smaller than the outer diameter of the annular member 152. A sealing ring is provided with a marginal flange portion 156 and with a curled or tube-forming portion 158 at its inner diameter. The flange 156 is held in place by a retainer ring 160 anchored to the plate 152 by securing members 162, such as rivets or bolts. The portion of the seal between the flange 156 and the tube 158 extends between the rings 154 and 160 and a tubular part 158 of the seal bears against the bottom surface of the member 152 and preferably is positioned around and outwardly of the bores of parts 152154 of the pressure foot structure and of the valve aperture in the valve plate 118.

Each compartment of the container will be-provided with an opening to be spanned by a closure 52, as seen in FIG. 3, and with a bottom opening to be controlled by a valve, as disclosed in FIG. 4. Also, each compartment will be provided with a liner of leakproof construction and of a shape substantially conforming to the interior configuration of the container or the compartment in which it fits. The liner will preferably be formed of tough, flexible, light weight material. One example of a material suited for use as a liner is polyethylene film material of a thickness in the order of .004 inch. Also, if desired, a vinyl type or other synthetic resin film may be employed, or the liner may be formed of rubber or synthetic rubber material. I prefer to use the polyethylene film in most instances, however, by reason of its light weight, its inertness in the presence of most corrosive materials, and its toughness. The liner is imperforate except for a single opening outlined by a neck portion 172 and by an outwardly projecting lip portion 174 at the free end of the neck. The neck 172 is of a dimension to extend through the neck 50 of the container 22'and the lip 174 is adapted-to project outwardly over the outer edge of the neck 50ofthecontainerand to be pressed upon by the closure plate 52 and the closure plate seal 54 to anchor the same in position within the container.

It will be apparent that the liner is inserted into the container while the closure plate 52 and its associated parts are open, and the dip tube 92 and its associated parts are removed. The valve 138 will preferably be closed at the time the liner is inserted. Following insertion of the liner, the lip 1'74 thereof is continuously marginally clamped upon the neck 50 of the container by means of the closure plate 52 and the securing means 68 which serve to press the closure plate against the neck 50 and the liner lip 174 to solidly anchor the neck of the liner in place. After the closure 52 is mounted in place, the closures 72 and 78 thereof are applied in place. Thereupon a portable air blower 176, which may be of the type actuated by an electric motor 178 having a flexible extension cord 180 leading to a source of power, is actuated. The blower preferably has a tubular discharge portion 182 which may include a reduced diameter end portion providing a shoulder at 184 adapted to seat on the closure 52 while the end of the tube 182 has a removable snug fit in the opening 74 in the closure member 52. Operation of the blower serves to inflate the liner 170 so as to expand the same to conform to the interior of the container and to assume a position normal to the container and bearing thereagainst at the bottom and side walls and upper portion thereof to such an extent that all parts of the liner are backed by the rigid structure of the container 22. The liner members may be folded for compact storage so that a number of liners may be carried in a truck or other storage place to be readily available for use and to be easily handled. The liner will be suspended from its neck after mounting thereof so that it is in a position to accept a supply of air from the blower 176 and is free to expand to the position described. The container 22 will be provided with one or more openings 186 in the upper portion thereof adjacent to and preferably spaced from and outwardly from the neck 50 to constitute vents through which air within the If the dip tube 92 is to be inserted in the contents of the container during storage or transit thereof, it will be applied following the inflation of the container and either before filling the container or after filling the same, as may be desired. Access to the interior of the structure toaccommodate mounting of the dip tube 92 is provided independently of the means used to fill the container. Thus the opening at '70 may constitute the normal filling opening, and the positioning of the tube 92 prior to the filling of the container is accommodated by reason of the separate nature of the filling opening 70 as compared to the opening at which the dip tube 92 is mounted.

Before the container is filled following inflation thereof, it is important that the valve 136 shall be closed so that the top of the inner part 138 thereof will be substantially flush with the upper face of the valve plate 118, whereby an offset part 171 of the liner which bears upon the upper face of the valve plate 118 will be supported continuously thereacross by said plate 118 and the valve part 138. The application of the dip tube 92 will serve to apply the presser foot into the position shown in FIG. 4, which it assumes as a result of the pressure of the spring 106 urging the dip tube 92 downwardly. The seal. part 158 presses upon the liner part 171 continuously around the opening of the valve plate 118. This is of importance at the time that the container is to be drained of its contents through the outlet 126, 144 at the bottom of the tank.

Discharge of the contents of the container is accomplished by first opening the valve part 138 to a position clear of the valve plate 118. An elongated perforating member is then applied through the guide tube 92 after opening of the closure plate 78 and removal of the cap 112. The perforating member shown in FIG. '11 may constitute a tube 200 having a slide lit in and longer than the tube 92 and adapted to be pressed against the liner portion 171 spanning the valve opening to sever the same.

It will be understood that the contents of the container may be discharged by pumping the same through the dip tube 92 by connecting a conduit of a pumping unit (not shown) at the threaded portion at the upper end of the dip tube. The spacing between the lower end of the dip tube and the presser foot plate 152 permits the entry of the contents of the container into the lower end of the tube to be drawn up through the tube, while the well 114 of the container permits the bottom of the tube 92 to be located below the level of the lowermost level of the container surrounding the well 114.

In cases where the lower portion 171 of the liner is perforated to provide for dischargethrough the outlet 126, 144, it will be apparent that the weight of the contents, coupled with the pressure of the seal 158 of the presser foot upon the liner at the valve plate 118, will serve to prevent the contents from flowing outwardly from the perforation and between the liner and the valve plate 118 or the lower part of the tank 22.

Another important function of the presser foot on the dip tube is to continually hold the liner in position around the lower discharge opening after the gravity draining of the container contents has been completed. In this connection, folds may be formed in the liner which tend to retain some of the contents and prevent flow thereof to the outlet. The vent opening 186 will preferably be made of a size large enough to permit the operator to reach therethrough to grasp the adjacent part of the liner while the neck thereof is anchored by plate 52. In this way the operator can pull upon and manipulate the liner to cause any of the contents trapped by wrinkles thereof to be freed for flow to the discharge outlet. After this has been accomplished, the dip tube 92 may be removed and the closure 52 released andthe liner pulled from the tank 22 preparatory to insertion of a liner. Inasmuch as complete drainage of the perforated liner can be secured by pulling thereon to drain away material trapped by the folds, as explained above, before release of tube 92, the withdrawal of the spent perforated liner does not entail much likelihood of spillage of the contents through the liner perforation.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the container may be easily and quickly provided with a new liner for each load which is introduced therein. Consequently, the loads or contents of the container may vary within a wide range without danger of contamination of successive loads and without danger of corrosion or injury to the container. Thus, for example, a given container may be used to contain edible material follow ing removal of corrosive material therefrom without danger of contaminating the edible material.

Another important advantage of the construction is that the liner, being made of light weight material, is easily handled and manipulated, so that one operator or attendant can apply the same and remove the same. A further important consideration is that the liner can be provided at comparatively low cost and a pricewhich renders the use of the container highly advantageous as compared'to the economic disadvantages of using containers which require loading thereof with compatible materials whenever the same are used. Furthermore, the use of these liners reduces the high capital investment in containers which normally is necessary in order to handle or store as wide a range of different types of materials as can be handled with the present container and its replaceable liner.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes in the construction may be made within the 7 scope of the appended claims without departing from the s'piritof the invention.

I claim:

1. In combination, a storage container for fluent material having a pair'of to'p openings and a bottom opening, a valve for said bottom opening, a closure for one of said top openings, a flexible liner adapted to conform to and be supportedby and within'said container, said liner having an imper-forate bottom portion spanning said bottom opening and a neck outlining an opening therein and removably anchored around said one top container opening by said closure, said valve including a plug adapted in closed position to extend substantially flush with part of said container to support the adjacent part of said liner.

2. In combination, a storage container for fluent material having a pair of top openings and 'a bottom opening, a valve for said bottom opening, an apertured closure for one of said top openings, a flexible liner adapted to conform to and be supported by and within said container, said liner having a neck outlining a single opening therein, said neck being removably anchored around said one top container opening by said closure, and means for perforating said liner in register with said bottom opening to drain said container when said valve is open.

3. In combination, a storage container for fluent material having a pair of top openings and a bottom opening, a valve for said bottom opening, an apertured closure for one of said top openings, at flexible imperforate liner adapted to conform to and be removably supported by and within said container, said liner having a neck outlining an opening therein and anchored around said one top container opening by said closure, guide means carried by said first closure and aligned with an aperture thereof, said guide means including a part pressing said liner against said container around said bottom opening, and means cooperating with said guide means for perforating said liner in register with said bottom opening.

4. In combination, a storage container for fluent material having a pair of top openings and a bottom opening, a valve for said bottom opening, an apertured closure for one of said top openings, at flexible imperforate liner adapted to conform to and be removably supported by and within said'container, said liner having a neck outlining an opening therein and anchored around said one top container opening by said closure, a guide removably carried by said first closure in register with an aperture thereof and contacting said liner adjacent said bottom opening, and liner-perforating means associated with said guide.

5. In combination, a storage container for fluent material having'a'pair of top'openings and a bottom'opening, a valve for said bottom opening, an apertured closure for one of said top openings, a flexible imperforate liner adapted to conform to and be removably supported by and within said container, said liner having a neck outlining an opening therein and anchored around said one top opening by said closure, said liner constituting a thin film of tough material of light Weight, and means carried by said closure for pressing said liner against said container marginally around said bottom opening.

6. In combination, a storage container for fluent material having a pair of top openings, a flexible liner of a size and shape to conform to and be removably supported by and within said container, "said liner having a neck outlining a sing'le opening therein and extending through one of said top container openings, apertured means for removably securing said neck to said container around said opening to suspend said liner in said container, and removable means removably mounted by said last named means for inflating said liner, said second top container opening constituting an air vent spaced from said neck to accommodate escape of air from said container as said liner is inflated.

7. A storage container comprising a rigid tank having top, bottom and side portions, said top and bottom portions having openings, a valve for said bottom opening including a shiftable part substantially flush with said bottom opening when closed, a flexible disposable liner having a neck extending through said top container opening, a closure releasably clamping said liner neck around said top opening to suspend said liner in said container, said liner being of a shape when distended substantially conforming to the shape of said tank, said container top having a second opening constituting an air vent spaced from said first top opening.

8. A storage container comprising a rigid tank having top, bottom and side portions, said top and bottom portion having openings, a valve for said bottom opening including a shiftable part substantially flush with said bottom opening when closed, a flexible disposable liner having a neck outlining an opening therein and extending through said top tank opening, a closure releasably clamping said liner neck around said top tank opening, said liner being of a shape substantially conforming to the shape of said tank, said closure having a pair of openings, a releasable closure member for each of said last named openings, one of said closure openings being aligned with said bottom opening, and a presser member removably carried by said first closure at said last named closure opening and pressing said liner against said tank bottom around said bottom opening.

9. A storage container comprising a rigid tank having top, bottom and side portions, said top and bottom portions having openings, a valve for said bottom opening including a shiftable part substantially flush with said bottom opening when closed, a flexible disposable liner having a neck outlining an opening therein and extending through said top tank opening, a closure releasably clamping said liner neck around said top tank opening, said liner being of a shape substantially conforming to the shape of said tank, said closure having a pair of openings, a releasable closure member for each of said last named openings, one of said closure openings being aligned with said bottom opening, and a tubular unit removably carried by said first closure in register with a closure opening and pressing said liner into engagement With said bottom around said bottom opening, said tubular unit having apertures at the lower end thereof.

10. A storage container as defined in claim 9, wherein said tubular unit includes a resilient member at its lower end pressing said liner downwardly against said bottom References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 821,875 Kneuper May 29, 1906 2,630,236 Arkoosh Mar. 3, 1953 2,758,747 Stevens Aug. 14, 1956 2,794,570 Downs June 4, 1957 

